Category Archives: New Music

Southern Halo to release “Just Like In The Movies” album April 27th

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Southern Halo News

SOUTHERN HALO‘s story arc expands with the April 27 release of their latest CD, the concept-driven, dream-inspired JUST LIKE IN THE MOVIES. This 14-track package, produced by Catt Gravitt and Gerald O’Brien, mirrors the emotional and musical growth of Natalia, Hannah and Christina Morris, the three sisters from the Mississippi Delta who form SOUTHERN HALO. Inspired by a dream of Natalia’s, JUST LIKE IN THE MOVIES features 10 songs written or co-written by the lead vocalist/guitarist, and four titles from Music City’s hottest tunesmiths. The catchy ode to the glories of Southern womanhood, “Southern Halo,” kicks off the project and marks the first “scene” of this movie-made-music.  A co-write with Roxie Dean, the strong, multi-layered vocals and sing-along chorus make this a natural choice for the first “instant gratification track” offered with each  iTunes and Amazon pre-order of the CD.  The disc is the second outing for the trio with SESAC’s 2012 Writer of the Year Catt Gravitt (Kelly Clarkson, Jake Owen) and Gerald O’Brien (Martina McBride, Trace Adkins) at the helm. Continuing the album’s theme is the first single “Anything Is Possible.”  Written by Gravitt and award-winning songwriter/producer Carl Falk, the hooky, upbeat track is a veritable anthem to the power of positive thinking and is already resonating at Country radio.  A lyric video, featuring performance footage, can be seen on YouTube. JUST LIKE IN THE MOVIES explores the excitement found and challenges faced when chasing one’s dream.  The eagerness to experience new places is offset by the longing for the constant comforts of home, while the idea that anyone can indeed reach for the stars is reinforced.  Natalia, Hannah and Christina continue to prove that dreams do come true – if you work hard and believe.  Highlights abound, and the tracks range from Rock-ish (“My Girls & Me”) to beautifully poignant (“Not Today”) to confrontational (“Hey Boy”). The album’s title track is a Pop/Rock-infused, modern-day fairytale that features underscored Rap-style background vocals and a sultry yet whimsical feel.  Written by Gravitt, Jana Kramer and Brian Kierulf, “Just Like In The Movies” showcases SOUTHERN HALO’s diversity and their fearless approach to music.  The track was singled in the U.K. late last year and enjoyed enormous success. “Missing Mississippi,” written by Natalia and Jennifer Adan, slows things down with the true tale of Natalia’s first night in her new Nashville home.  Sweet, reflective and emotional, the song shows that sacrifices are always made in pursuit of the dreams that inspire us.  Another track that shines the light on leaving, “Famous” tells the tale of the loneliness that can surround stardom.  Penned with Alex Dooley, the message is deep – and partially hidden by a seductive melody.  “Tom Girl,” written with Melissa Boella Rowe, describes a character familiar to the Morris sisters: someone who loves to get their hands dirty, but also loves to dress up for special occasions.  As Natalia says, “everyone talks about ‘tom boys’ or ‘girly girls’ – no one ever talks about ‘tom girls.’  Christina loves fishing while Hannah rides horses Continue reading Southern Halo to release “Just Like In The Movies” album April 27th→

Scotty McCreery Releases New Album Friday, SEASONS CHANGE

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Scotty McCreery News On Country Music News Blog

McCreery Talks “Idol” on ABC’s Good Morning America on Monday, March 12; Shares “Five More Minutes” with Megyn Kelly TODAY on Thursday, March 15   No. 1 Hit “Five More Minutes” Recently Certified Gold by RIAA   Scotty McCreery has lived a lot of life in between his last album in 2013 and his long-awaited new album, Seasons Change, available everywhere this Friday, March 16 on Triple Tigers Records. He moved out on his own, went to college, released a book, proposed to his high school sweetheart, and most recently, notched his first No. 1 single with “Five More Minutes,” a song written by McCreery after losing his grandfather. “I feel like people will get to know the real me when they listen to Seasons Change,” said McCreery. “I’ve had quite the life journey since my last album. I’ve grown up, learned who I am and what I want to say. This album is very personal and my favorite yet. I cannot wait for everyone to hear it.” Seasons Change features 11 tracks, all of which McCreery had a hand in co-writing, marking a first for the 24-year-old country singer. Each track on the album allows fans a glimpse into the different corners of McCreery’s life—with songs like “In Between” featuring McCreery’s favorite line about himself – “I ain’t all Holy Water and I ain’t all Jim Beam, I’m somewhere in between,” “Boys From Back Home” about McCreery’s real-life friends from North Carolina and his upcoming new single “This Is It,” a song McCreery penned two weeks prior to proposing to his fiancé as an almost-blueprint to how he envisioned the proposal unfolding. Seasons Change is a true reflection of where the North Carolina native is in life. Among his co-writers on the personal album are Jessi Alexander (Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton), Monty Criswell (Eric Church, Darius Rucker, George Strait), Jason Gantt (Brooks & Dunn, Faith Hill, Alison Krauss, Tim McGraw), David Lee Murphy (Gary Allan, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton) and more. The album was produced by Frank Rogers, Derek Wells, and Aaron Eshuis. Seasons Change Track Listing:  1. “Seasons Change” (Scotty McCreery/James McNair/Tommy Cecil) 2. “Wherever You Are” (Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers/Dan Isbell) 3. “Boys From Back Home” (Scotty McCreery/Dan Isbell/Jason Gantt) 4. “Five More Minutes” (Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers/Monty Criswell) 5.  “In Between” (Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers/Jessi Alexander/Jonathan Singleton) 6.  “This Is It” (Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers/Aaron Eshuis) 7.  “Wrong Again” (Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers/Phillip White) 8.  “Move It On Out” (Scotty McCreery/Dan Isbell/Aaron Eshuis) 9.  “Barefootin’” (Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers/David Lee Murphy 10. “Still” (Scotty McCreery/Aaron Eshuis) 11. “Home In My Mind” (Scotty McCreery/James McNair/Tommy Cecil) To celebrate the release of his new album, McCreery will appear on Good Morning America Monday morning to talk about the return of the show that got him his start, American Idol. Then on Thursday, March 15 he will visit Megyn Kelly TODAY to sing his RIAA Gold-Certified single “Five More Minutes.” Celebrating his album release, McCreery hosts an album launch party and concert at Gramercy Theatre in New York City on Monday, March 19 and strips it Continue reading Scotty McCreery Releases New Album Friday, SEASONS CHANGE→

Lisa Mednick Powell, Returns with First Album in 16 Years, “Blue Book”

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Lisa Mednick Powell News

FOLK/COUNTRY/BLUES SINGER-SONGWRITER-MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST, LISA MEDNICK POWELL, RETURNS WITH “BLUE BOOK”, HER FIRST ALBUM IN 16 YEARS When asked about working with singer/songwriter/musician Lisa Mednick Powell on his 1999 album Crusades Of The Restless Knights, acclaimed singer/songwriter Ray Wylie Hubbard told “No Depression”, “Her songs are just cool and important.  “I really respect her writing.”  Powell’s debut solo album, Artifacts Of Love, which was released in 1994, earned media praise as “a dark, swirling gumbo” (Utne Reader), “richly evocative” (Austin-American Statesman) and “…artful songcraft…” (Rolling Stone).  Her follow up album, Semaphore, was released eight years later in 2002 and was described by “Amazon.com”as “…some of the prickliest, most emotionally unsettling material this side of Lucinda Williams. Her vocal lilt…belies the music’s dark thematic undertow, through songs that evoke life’s fragility and finitude.”  Now, sixteen years later, she is proud to announce the official release of her self-produced third solo album, “Blue Book. Although recorded recently, Powell says that the songs on the new record are connected to all of the songs on her previous albums and the main concepts stay the same across decades.  “I did take my time releasing another album after ‘Semaphore’, but the passage of sixteen years does not feel as long to me as it might seem to others. In the interim, I have kept busy! In addition to writing music, I earned a Master’s degree at the State University of New York.  Someone once told me ‘you move through the world more slowly than other people.’  I am not sure what he meant, but I think he was right.” Recorded in the California High Desert and in New Orleans with husband bassist Kip Powell, and a few old talented friends including Tommy Malone, Victoria Williams, Alison Young, Danny Frankel, and Greg Leisz, “Blue Book” is a musical throwback of sorts — a complete album experience marked by quiet grace, thoughtful craft and performance, and impressionistic lyrics.  Powell says, “Making ‘Blue Book’ was certainly a labor of love-and not only because my wonderful husband Kip played bass and co-wrote some of the material. In 2014, I started going back to New Orleans and working with brilliant musicians (people who also happen to be dear friends) I knew from my time there in the late 80s. While “Artifacts of Love” was recorded and mixed all in one session at a studio in Austin, “Blue Book” was recorded a few songs at a time in various studios in various geographical locations. I was honored to have these musicians work with me. All of them did great work in supporting the songs. I have always tried to record songs in such a way that they evoke the same emotion with or without the lyrics. The music should carry emotion just as much as words do. Everyone who worked on this album really shared that concept.” One of the highlights of “Blue Book” is the track “To The Wilderness”.  “I started the song a long time ago and finally finished it when Continue reading Lisa Mednick Powell, Returns with First Album in 16 Years, “Blue Book”→

Austin’s Jeff Plankenhorn shifts from side work into spotlight with new album, out May 4th

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Jeff Plankenhorn News on Country Music News Blog

AUSTIN GUITARIST JEFF PLANKENHORN SHIFTS FROM SIDE (AND SLIDE) WORK INTO THE SOLO SPOTLIGHT WITH ASSERTIVE SINGER-SONGWRITER SHOWCASE, SLEEPING DOGS, OUT MAY 4 Roots-rocking follow-up to 2016’s acclaimed SoulSlide finds the Ohio-born, Texas-based artist expanding his musical playing field with help from friends Ray Wylie Hubbard,  Patty Griffin, and co-producer “Scrappy” Jud Newcomb. When Jeff Plankenhorn, arguably one of the busiest and most highly regarded guitar players on the Austin music scene, tells you that he “hardly ever takes sideman gigs anymore,” take it with a grain of salt.  Yes, it’s true he’s made a concerted effort to carve out more time for his own solo career ever since issuing his breakout second studio set, 2016’s SoulSlide  — and he aims to find even more of that “me time” come the May 4, 2018 release of his new album, Sleeping Dogs on Spike Steel Records. But as far as scaling back on the whole sideman thing goes … bear in mind that there’s a big difference between “hardly ever” and never. Namely, the former still leaves the guy just enough wiggle room to happily say “yes” when legends (and friends) on the level of Ray Wylie Hubbard or the Flatlanders need a can-do guitar man for a sold-out theater engagement. Or, say, when fellow A-list Austin sideman “Scrappy” Jud Newcomb — the MVP co-producer of Sleeping Dogs — finds out he can’t make it to a very special Johnny Nicholas gig in Hawaii, and asks “Plank” if he’d be up for subbing for him. Who in their right mind is going to say no to that? Plankenhorn still selectively takes those kinds of calls not because he gets them, but because he’s earned them. For the better part of the last 17 years, ever since he first moved to Texas with nothing to his name but a Geo Prism, $100, seven guitars and the generous hospitality of Ray and Judy Hubbard, the gifted multi-instrumentalist from Columbus, Ohio has busted ass to prove himself not just able and willing, but above all worthy of playing with the best of the best. And the reason so many song poets like Hubbard and Joe Ely like having Plank at their side is not just because of his prodigious chops on all things stringed (especially those played with a slide), but because of his intuitive knack for knowing when to hold back, always allowing the singer room to land a lyric and go for the proverbial kill. “That’s just part of the skill set I learned very early on: ‘When in doubt, lay out,’” Plankenhorn explains with a chuckle. “That joke about knowing when not to play? It’s true.” Not surprisingly, that particular skill — along with myriad other lessons in the finer points of songcraft that he’s picked up from sharing stages with the masters — has come to greatly inform Plankenhorn’s own music over the years. But it’s never been more apparent than it is on Sleeping Dogs. Make no mistake: Plank plays Continue reading Austin’s Jeff Plankenhorn shifts from side work into spotlight with new album, out May 4th→

Patrick Darrah – Northern Truth debut album review

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Patrick Darrah

Fresh from the mailbox this morning is Patrick Darrah‘s debut album “Northern Truth“.  The quick version is that the album is interesting enough on the first listen to give it a second go-round, which is rare in blind submissions. Great songwriting and storytelling, and definitely a lot of potential here. I’d call this guy one to watch, and I’d love to hear him collaborate with some heavier hitters in Nashville to help add a little gravel and depth to his clean clear vocal tone. The long version is that, without reading his bio, you can tell that his song selection is clearly influenced by his life experience as each track flows from one right into the next, telling the full story of a man dealing with loss and heartbreak as he finds out what to do with his life once his love walks out. The songs are each well-written and performed with the kind of angst and longing that can only come from the feelings being real. That said, it would be fantastic to hear this album as a whole, remixed and mastered with the guiding hand of a more seasoned engineer as some of the grit and guts seem to have been over-compressed and cleaned up in the studio. I think that  this album makes a very solid starting point for the very long career Patrick has ahead of him.   To find out more about Patrick Darrah, visit https://www.patrickdarrah.com/ .   

Listen Now: Kacey Musgraves – Space Cowboy

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Spacey Kacey is at it again this time it’s an interstellar heartbreak song as she releases the official audio for her latest track “Space Cowboy“. Anyone who dares to say that Kacey Musgraves isn’t a country music legend in the making is going to be quick to swallow their words after giving this tune a spin. Preorder the new Kacey Musgraves album Golden Hour, releasing March 30th, here: http://strm.to/GoldenHourYD Sign up to the Kacey Musgraves email list here: http://www.kaceymusgraves.com/ Music video by Kacey Musgraves performing Space Cowboy. © 2018 MCA Nashville, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.  

Lucas Hoge Partners with Southwest Airlines as 2018 StoryTeller

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Lucas Hoge

Hot country vocalist Lucas Hoge continues ascending into new territory as he joins Southwest Airlines’ Storyteller Brand Ambassador program.  Over the next year, Lucas will be part of a curated group of 12 #SouthwestStorytellers who will promote the brand on their social channels. “We’re excited that Lucas is a part of our #SouthwestStorytellers Class of 2018. Over the years,  Lucas has made Southwest his airline of choice as he has toured the country sharing his music with fans.  We are excited to launch this partnership and are looking forward to what unfolds,” said Curtis Midkiff, Southwest Airlines Social Business Advisor. The Nebraska native is set to release the second single off his No. 1 album Dirty South to radio this March. Hoge had a career defining year in 2017, with his album ascending to the No. 1 spot on Billboard Country Album Sales Chart the week of release and making his Grand Ole Opry debut on the Ryman stage. For more information and the latest news on Lucas Hoge, follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and go to LucasHoge.com LUCAS HOGE ON TOUR: Jan. 26 Stoney’s Rockin’ Country – Las Vegas, Nev. Feb. 03 MGM Grand Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, Nev. Feb. 17 Nissan Stadium – Nashville, Tenn. Feb. 23 Sandia Casino – Albuquerque, N.M. Feb. 24 Country Fest | Rodeo Weekend – Tuscon, Ariz. March 24 Broadbent Arena, Kentucky State Fair & Expo Center – Louisville, Ky. April 09 Whiskey Jam – Nashville, Tenn. April 14 ACM Party For A Cause – Las Vegas, NV April 25 Ralston Arena – Ralston, Neb. April 27 Red Cloud Opera House – Red Cloud, Neb. April 28 Opera House – Minden, Neb. June 01 Nebraska Cattlemen’s Ball – Kearney, Neb. May 23 – 30 Wrangler National Patriot Tour June 01 Nebraska Cattleman’s Ball – Kearney, Neb. June 22 Stoney’s Rockin Country – Las Vegas, NV June 23 Tower Theater – Fresno, CA July 07 The Golf Club at Black Rock – Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho ABOUT LUCAS HOGE: Some people are just born communicators and Lucas Hoge has that gift. Fans know this because Hoge’s new album Dirty South ascended to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Country Album Sales chart during its debut week. Whether he’s performing for troops overseas, sharing his love for the great outdoors with fellow sportsmen at a Cabela’s gathering or writing another song for a hit TV show, Hoge has that rare ability to find common ground with just about anyone and draw them into his world. A passionate supporter of the U.S. military, Hoge has traveled the globe extensively performing for the troops visited numerous countries throughout the Middle East and beyond for the past nine years as part of the Wrangler National Patriot Tour. Hoge is also the celebrity spokesperson for Guardian Angels For Soldier’s Pet. Combine all of that with his Midwestern charm and a work ethic that won’t slow him down, it looks like the best is yet to come.

Scotty McCreery Lands First No. 1 with “Five More Minutes”

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Scotty McCreery News On Country Music News Blog

After gaining more than 500,000 units of streams and sales,“Five More Minutes” certified Gold by the RIAA NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After announcing his forthcoming album, Seasons Change, is due March 16 on Triple Tigers Records and making some major decisions in his personal and professional career, Scotty McCreery’s debut single from the forthcoming album, “Five More Minutes,” becomes his first No. 1 hit, reaching the top spot on both the Billboard and Mediabase/Country Aircheck Country Airplay charts. The song that The Tennessean says, “pulls heartstrings” also cements RIAA Gold certification for combined units of steams and sales in excess of 500,000. An overjoyed McCreery said, “There was a time I thought this song would never see the light of day. Seeing this song, inspired by my Granddaddy Bill, go Gold and then become my first number one means the world to me! After writing it with Frank Rogers and Monty Criswell, I tweeted out that ‘I think I just wrote my favorite song I’ve ever written,’ and that still holds true today. Thank you to my fans, country radio, Triple 8 Management, Triple Tigers Records, my band and crew, and everyone on my team. A big thank you to Bobby Bones for bringing national attention to the song. Gabi and I have been celebrating all day!” “Five More Minutes,” which People calls an “emotional walk down memory lane,” was McCreery’s first introduction back to the industry after the singer took almost five years since his last No. 1 studio LP, See You Tonight while resolving legal disputes with his former label, touring, writing new songs, and creating this new album for his new label home. The hit that Billboard calls, “heart-wrenching” was written two weeks after the passing of his paternal grandfather, who serves as a major inspiration for the song, and takes listeners on a journey through both the joys and sorrows of life, ending with a plea for “five more minutes” with his grandfather. McCreery wrote the song with Seasons Change co-producer Frank Rogers and Monty Criswell back in 2015. He first performed it publicly on the Grand Ole Opry in June 2016 during CMA Music Festival, receiving a standing ovation and subsequently millions of views on the Opry’s YouTube channel. National Radio Hall of Fame member Bobby Bones championed “Five More Minutes” and gave the song its national radio debut on his morning show in late April 2017. Fan reaction was immediate, and McCreery released the song independently soon thereafter. On the day the song was released, country music legend Randy Travis tweeted “this is storytelling and country music at its best.” Soon after McCreery signed with Triple Tigers Records, and the song became not only the highest-ranking single of his career, but also the fastest rising song of his career. The 24-year old singer/songwriter has a lot to say on Seasons Change, McCreery’s forthcoming 11-track album, co-produced by Rogers, Derek Wells, and Aaron Eshuis, due March 16. With every song co-written by McCreery himself, Seasons Change marks the first time he’s played a hand in writing his entire album. With songs influenced by true-life events that occurred since he released his last album at 19 — including moving out on his own, going to college, getting robbed at gunpoint, losing his grandfather, changing record labels, releasing a book and proposing to his high school sweetheart Continue reading Scotty McCreery Lands First No. 1 with “Five More Minutes”→